Method and system for automatic sharing and custom user interface features in a fleet of multi-function devices

Abstract

A method and system for enabling automatic service sharing and custom user interface features in a fleet of multi-function devices. EIP (Extensible Interface Platform) services can be registered via a peer-to-peer discovery subsystem associated with a multi-function device grid infrastructure. EIP service registration information can be submitted and stored in the grid infrastructure. The multi-function devices can be equipped with an enterprise EIP client, which can query the discovery subsystem and apply a corporate policy. The discovery subsystem detects the optimal instance of the service based on loading and availability factors and then returns a reference with respect to the services that allows access to enhanced services. Such an approach enables a fleet of multi-function devices to dynamically discover EIP services and auto populate service options to provide increased capability, reduced complexity, and improved speed.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD[0001]Embodiments are generally related to rendering devices such as printers, scanners, multi-function devices, photocopy machines, and the like. Embodiments are also related to extensible interface platforms associated with multi-function devices. Embodiments are additionally related to automatic service sharing and custom user interface features utilized in the context of a fleet of multi-function devices.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Networked multi-function devices generally interact with an assemblage of varying rendering devices, client computers, servers, and other components that are connected to and communicate over a network. An example of a typical multi-function device is a rendering device having combined printing, scanning, faxing, and / or photocopying capabilities.[0003]Multi-function devices generally support EIP (Extensible Interface Platform) services which permit custom services to be installed and represented in a GUI (Graphical User Interface) ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention provides a method and system for enabling a fleet of multi-function devices to automatically discover and share EIP services. The MFDs can query a peer-to-peer discovery subsystem and apply a corporate policy to provide the best service to users. The MFD-grid infrastructure utilizes a distributed file system to prevent information loss and ensure consistent service usage metrics. The access list or assigned user roles can filter services based on the policy. The EIP services can be directly registered in the MFD-grid infrastructure to speed up access and reduce network traffic. This approach provides enhanced flexibility, reduced cost and complexity, and improved speed with respect to the networked MFDs.

Problems solved by technology

Such EIP services typically require manual registration and configuration which can be a time-consuming and tedious process when a newly deployed service is required to appear with respect to a large number of multi-function devices.

One of the problems associated with such an approach is that the multi-function device service association remains until the registration is deleted or modified by the registrar software.

Also, the EIP registration system 100 cannot dynamically allocate services.

Additionally, the management of a large number of services and / or a large number of multi-function devices can quickly become very problematic.

The multi-function device to EIP service traffic can be proxied via the proxy computer 215 which slows access to the individual EIP services and increases network traffic.

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